The Economy Growing
| May 4, 2012 | Posted by admin under Uncategorized |
I am not an economist, but the news that the country’s economy is growing is greet news indeed if only it can be felt and translated. Every administration seemed to have claimed that the economy has improved and that we are on our way up…….really?! Are the growth rates and projections based on what exactly?…
Expansion List for the Philippines
| April 30, 2012 | Posted by admin under impressions, thoughts, Uncategorized |
This is just a rant and observation of an average, ordinary individual. The country never seem to have taken a great leap forward, a major leap for the better. But what is better can be relative. Improvements have been short and ineffective. The problems of yesterday, are still the problems of today, compounded of course.…
The Resilient Cathedral of Manila
| April 28, 2012 | Posted by admin under antiques, church, collecting, events, heritage structure, heritage towns, hobby, impressions, nostalgia, people, personalities, places, postcards, pre-war, religious images, santos, scenes, stamps, thoughts, travel, vintage photos |
My first introduction to Intramuros was the COMELEC. We used to visit an aunt who used to work there. After the COMELEC, next was the church adjacent to it, which I did not know at the time was the Manila Cathedral. But it would be a couple of years before I would appreciate the history…
Puerto Rico III
| April 20, 2012 | Posted by admin under church, events, heritage structure, heritage towns, impressions, places, thoughts, travel |
The (native) Tainos inhabited Puerto Rico which is an island in the Caribbean until the coming of the Spaniards. Today it is a territory of the United States. It used to be a Spanish colony and was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. The Treaty of Paris of 1898 which…
San Juan, Puerto Rico II
| April 15, 2012 | Posted by admin under heritage structure, heritage towns, impressions, nostalgia, places, thoughts, travel, vintage photos |
I am one those persons who have a tendency to compare a new place and look for things that are similar and familiar. Although this is much about Puerto Rico and I already made my comparison in the previous blog entry, I can’t help myself to still mention the similarities because even if its just…
Intramuros, Manila and San Juan, Puerto Rico I
| April 10, 2012 | Posted by admin under events, heritage structure, heritage towns, impressions, nostalgia, places, postcards, pre-war, scenes, thoughts, travel, vintage photos |
Old Manila was the walled city of Intramuros and it was the center of the colonial government. It was filled with various architectural gems. From churches, government offices, schools, private houses etc. It was said to be a somber city relieved only by religious festivals and fiestas. Back then, Intramuros was Manila and I have wondered how the…
San Jose’s Other Heritage Structures
| February 28, 2012 | Posted by admin under bahay-na-bato, heritage structure, heritage towns, impressions, nostalgia, places, pre-war, scenes, thoughts, travel |
The old houses are not the only unique attraction that I find interesting about San Jose. It also has an arcaded municipal hall, although the upper part has long since been renovated. The upper portion shows a great deal of contrast from the ground floor but at least from the lower portion, one can still…
Philippine Heritage Awareness
| February 20, 2012 | Posted by admin under events, heritage structure, impressions, places, pre-war, thoughts, travel |
In the last few years there has been a growing realization and emphasis on the importance of our built heritage. The role it plays in linking us with our past and being a tangible reminder of our history. There is also the recognition as to the economic potential for such structures and places (even the…
San Jose’s Unique Old Houses II
| January 30, 2012 | Posted by admin under antiques, bahay-na-bato, heritage structure, heritage towns, impressions, nostalgia, Philippine house, places, pre-war, scenes, thoughts, travel, vintage photos |
San Jose has a number of these unique houses and possibly the oldest surviving among these is this renovated structure. The date given was approximately 1716 and if this is accurate , this structure pre-dates the founding of the town itself. This would have been constructed when San Jose was still a part of Bauan. The house…
San Jose’s (Batangas) Unique Old Houses
| January 27, 2012 | Posted by admin under antiques, bahay-na-bato, heritage structure, heritage towns, impressions, nostalgia, Philippine house, places, pre-war, scenes, thoughts, travel, vintage photos |
San Jose being a compact town gives a good view of town or urban planning that was implemented and employed by the Spanish government. It was prescribed in the Laws of the Indies on how a town’s layout should be. This can still be seen in San Jose (Taal, Batangas is another good example), where…
